Luke 17:20-37
Q.1. What kingdom were the Pharisees expecting? Why did Jesus give more details to His disciples? How do you gain entrance into God’s kingdom? – (Lk.17:20-27)
The Pharisees asked Jesus about the promises relating to the coming of God’s kingdom. He sought to focus their attention, not on the signs, but on the necessity of receiving the King of that Kingdom – The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed … For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst (Lk.17:20-21). Privately He told His disciples that His coming would be with signs and wonders (Lk.17:24 c.f. Lk.21:27). However – … first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. Just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man (Lk.17:25-26). The implication is clear. We must accept Jesus, the Messiah, as our sin-bearer and substitute for our sins. We must humbly take Him as our own Saviour and invite Him to be King over our hearts.
Q.2. Why did Jesus use the examples of Noah and Lot? How should Christ’s teaching impact us regarding His coming again? – (Lk.17:24-33)
Today we get graphic pictures of the destruction caused by tsunamis, volcanos, and earthquakes. Somehow it seems unreal, as long as we are not directly impacted by these tragedies. However, one day, just as in the time of the worldwide Flood, and the annihilation of Sodom and Gomorrah, calamity will visit all humanity. Few heeded the warnings (Lk.17:26-29). With these historical examples, Jesus reminded us that such destruction will recur in the Endtimes (Lk.17:26 & 30). It will happen suddenly, and unexpectedly (Lk.17:31-36). There will be no escape, apart from entering into the Kingdom of God through faith in the Son of God.
Q.3. Will Christ’s return be good news to everyone? Where do vultures usually gather? – (Lk.17:34-37)
Christ’s return will mark the great divide in human history. There will be no time to change the direction of our souls. There will be only one significant question from the Father: What did you do with My Son? Jesus alluded to a terrible judgment upon the God haters, whom the apostle John saw after the coming of King Jesus – And on His robe and on His thigh, He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Then I saw an angel standing in the sun, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying to all the birds which fly in midheaven, “Come, assemble for the great supper of God (Rev.19:16-17). Here the vultures will be gathered (Lk.17:37). This is only good news for those who have heeded the Gospel of Jesus Christ in this life.